This Christmas season feels beautifully and peacefully different. After finally breaking free from a toxic, narcissistic marriage earlier this year, I’m feeling whole again. My faith in God, myself and life in general is at an all-time high.

Most of all, there’s an inexplicable joy in the air I never could’ve imagined fully. His name is Jeremiah, my first grandbaby, and being GiGi to this sweet, smiley four-month-old boy is the best Christmas gift ever. It’s a feeling like when I had my own children yet layered differently.

So, forget hair accessories, purses, cool gadgets or Starbucks cards for me. Nothing compares to Jeremiah’s baby smell, soft-as-silk, peach-fuzzy hair, cute smiles when he recognizes me and little laughs at my best attempts to pull off baby songs, though I’m no Ms. Rachel. 

Watching my youngest daughter Julissa step into motherhood has been just as special. From the moment I learned about the baby and saw her belly grow to being in the delivery room, (where after teasing her fiancé Justin for months about not fainting, I almost did), every second has felt like a miracle.

Julissa is such a loving, patient, dedicated, fierce little mama bear and Justin’s been incredible too. He’s gentle and hands-on, always ready to take over for Julissa when she’s tired. Seeing them together, raising the perfect little soul with unconditional love, gives me extra hope for the future.

These days, I live in a wonderfully full house with my grown kids, Darius and Julissa, their partners Yuri and Justin, little Jeremiah and our combined dogs Remi Lulu, Cinnamon and Opal. My oldest daughter Megan lives nearby and gosh, I love them all. It’s not quite the picture I once thought life would look like in my 50s, but it’s real and I’m grateful.

With that, the 2025 holidays mark a season nothing or no one can ruin. The tree lights sparkle a little brighter, Christmas songs sound more festive and our home feels refreshingly alive again with laughter, open conversations and the joy of having family and friends—old and new—always welcome. Julissa and I are continuing our tradition of adopting one boy and one girl from an angel tree, but this year, we also have our own little angel to celebrate with.

I’m already looking forward to the years ahead filled with more wonder, magic and maybe one day, more grandbabies to love. For now, however, I’m soaking up every cuddle, coo and my finger being held by a little grandbaby I would do anything for.

This Christmas, surrounded by all the people I love, my heart is full, at its happiest and open to new memories in the making.

All is absolutely calm, all is magnificently bright and it truly feels like everything I’ve ever wanted.